| | | | Image: AI generated | July 2026 | | | | The long-awaited transition is finally taking form! We have filed with the Secretary of State Office for a new name and revised mission statement. Just in the nick of time for another campaign: the harms and benefits of the sale and transfer of Idaho Power’s Oregon territory to Oregon Trail Electric Coop (OTEC). But first, what's with the name change? | | Our new name: “Frontier Resilient Energy & Equity” (FREE)! | | The name and our revised mission statement broaden our focus to include innovative energy systems and resilient community strategies that Stop B2H has been studying and advocating for, for a decade or longer! From the grassroots to federal court, from two state agencies' (ODOE and OPUC) multiple contested cases to the Oregon Supreme Court, Stop B2H has become a known player in the energy landscape in Oregon.
It's time to put our energies toward the resilient, distributed energy and grid hardening that we wanted Idaho Power and their partner-monopoly-utility (PacifiCorp) to implement. They continue to drag their feet, keeping profits as their primary driver – not the communities they serve. We want to change this paradigm!
Our revised mission: to promote innovative, customer- and community-based development of renewable and resilient energy sources, storage, distribution, and conservation, while preserving environmental, historical, and cultural resources and lands.
We are not abandoning the B2H struggle however. A task force within FREE, led by Irene, will continue to watch-dog the mitigation plans and site certificate conditions. Read more under, “Carrying ON!”
| | | | Holding Our Utilities Accountable: What the OTEC–Idaho Power Sale Means for You
| | | | Photo credit: OTEC In February 2026, Idaho Power Company (IPC) and Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) announced a joint agreement to the sale and transfer IPC’s Oregon service territory and distribution assets to OTEC. This effectively, is removing Idaho Power as a retail energy supplier in Eastern Oregon.
The sale would move 20,000 customers into OTEC’s distribution system while IPC would retain transmission (like the B2H). The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) is reviewing the $154 million sale/transfer under Docket UM 2447, applying Oregon’s "no harm" standard, which requires proof that ratepayers will remain in an equivalent or better position under OTEC.
Local OTEC members from Stop B2H and FREE, met with 3 Union County OTEC board members in June, to answer some due diligence questions. The OTEC members were directed by these board members to ask their questions in the formal regulatory (OPUC) process, due to confidentiality constraints of public documents.
That forced FREE to step-up as formal "intervenors" in the docket to ask the unanswered questions about what this sale means for rates, programs, reliability, and fairness. So far, we’ve discovered from the joint application, real, quantifiable dangers for families, farms, and businesses across Eastern Oregon.
Each issue below represents a potential harm. We encourage members of both utilities to ask questions and participate in the public comment process, see: Public Hearing - Mark your calendars for August 24th! (below).
Initial Risks/Harms Identified:
1. The 2030 "BPA Rate Cliff": OTEC’s sales agreement with IPC ends in 2030, and BPA is not obligated to grant low-cost Tier 1 power to annexed territories. If denied, new members could pay approximately $111.99/MWh for Tier 2 power—nearly triple the $37.96/MWh Tier 1 rate.[1]
2. The Excess Deferred Income Taxes "EDIT" Credit Recovery: Idaho Power holds $128 million in system-wide Excess Deferred Income Taxes paid by ratepayers. The Oregon share—$4.88 million—isn’t being credited to reduce OTEC’s purchase price. Without that adjustment, IPC receives a windfall.
3. The "Benefit Gap" for Vulnerable Families: The transition threatens a lifeline for 1,600 low-income Idaho Power households. IPC’s Schedule 63 program provides a direct monthly credit averaging $74. OTEC offers no direct discount equivalent.
4. The "Low Density Discount" Risk: OTEC’s engineering data show that exceeding 12 meters per mile could cost the cooperative BPA’s $2 million annual Low Density Discount, raising rates for irrigators and rural residents.
5. The "Winter Protection" Discrepancy: Replacing Idaho Power’s calendar-based, shut-off moratorium (Dec 1–March 31), with OTEC’s policy that only triggers when temperatures hit freezing (32°F), would violate the 'no-harm' standard. It leaves Oregon's most fragile families, elderly and medically vulnerable, without heat during 'moderately cold' periods that OPUC staff notes are still hazardous to human health.
6. The "Transmission Dependency": IPC will retain ownership of transmission lines and collect $1.8 million annually in wheeling fees (tariffs for using transmission lines.) OTEC gains distribution control but remains dependent on IPC for power delivery.
7. The "Governance Transparency" Concern: OTEC’s board declined to answer member questions, citing confidentiality. Members were directed to file as formal intervenors to access information that was-and is-public!
FREE has identified 11 issues so far in its intervention, including additional technical and regulatory risks related to capital credit delays, cross-subsidization across rate classes, distributed energy resources and wildfire mitigation gaps and more!
The full issue list is here. And more will be coming... Get informed, protect your family, and join us in demanding answers.
[1]BPA Tier 1 preference power rate reported at ~$37/MWh; New Resource rate reported at ~$111/MWh. See Tri-City Herald reporting, or https://www.bpa.gov/energy-and-services/rate-and-tariff-proceedings/power-rates | | | |
FREE’s First Campaign: Advocating for Eastern Oregon Ratepayers
For those of us living in and east of the Blues, we have an incredible opportunity to move closer to an energy independent future and away from the corporate monopoly of Idaho Power.
FREE’s main intention is to be sure that OTEC gets the best deal possible from IPC; and assure "No Harm" occurs to IPC and OTEC customers. We believe in the coop model, a locally-controlled model for delivering energy, and we would like to see it expand and mature. We will have our eyes on growing innovative energy generation, storage and distribution, building resiliency in our communities and grid, and assuring that benefits and risks are shared equitably.
Considering progress made in the distributed energy and resiliency space, we do not want to go backwards! This means, we want to take the best of what all these utilities have to offer and keep that growing as OTEC moves forward. We believe this docket and sales agreement is an opportunity to advocate for our energy vision. | | | | | | | | We will arrange car-pooling, and as soon as we hear about virtual and remote access, we will send an Action Alert!
Mark Your Calendars for August 24th! To wet your whistle, here are some initial questions for all Idaho Power rate payers and Legacy OTEC member-owners. OTEC and Idaho Power also have a bunch of Frequently Asked Questions on their websites which are great to get you started. OTEC's--here and IPC's--here.
We will help with Questions and Talking Points for the hearings: Aug 24th -- and the second one on Nov 5th. As we learn more about the deal we will inform all of you! …
| | | | | | Carrying ON! ... Mitigation Watchdogs Head to the Supreme Court! | | Three Stop B2H warriors continue to track and watch-dog Idaho Power’s compliance with the B2H Site Certificate and Conditions (mitigations).*
Sam and Wendy (Morrow) and Irene (Union) have been watching EFSC (Energy Facilities Siting Council) and Idaho Power’s maneuvers since the Site Certificate was issued. There are 110 Site Conditions and IPC is having a hard time staying compliant.
In February, we reported on one case that was just entering the local courts in Morrow Co. Today, they are heading to the Supreme Court of Oregon! What happened?
IPC decided to seek, and was granted approval by EFSC, to reduce the fire suppression equipment on their construction vehicles. Since that was an undisputed change of the site certificate (or so one would think), it should have been noticed and should have triggered a public hearing at a minimum. EFSC denied the request for reconsideration and the 3 went to circuit court in Morrow Co. where the judge made a ruling without any explanation of her decision. There was no opinion given and nothing to base an appeal. Hence, they filed at the Oregon Supreme Court demanding due process! We will keep you posted.
*FREE will continue to keep an eye on these B2H mitigations and Site Conditions. | | | | | | | | Unfortunately, Idaho Power has begun building towers and access roads in some areas, even as its partner PacifiCorp struggles financially and they still lack key property easements. The result is a patchwork of construction, legal uncertainty, and community disruption—without clear evidence that B2H, in its current form, serves the public interest. In 2025, PacifiCorp announced its plans to sell the energy to one customer: a data center.
Through it all, Stop B2H remains a vigilant watchdog. At the same time, we’re investing energy (pun intended) into solutions with Frontier Resilient Energy & Equity (FREE): rooftop solar, community resiliency hubs and local preparedness for wildfire and power shutoffs. Your support helps us track complex dockets, engage expert counsel, and share accessible information with communities who would otherwise be left in the dark.
On behalf of the Stop B2H Coalition Board of Directors -- and now the FREE Board of Directors -- we thank you. We could not have come this far without YOU. As our organization evolves, we’ll continue to keep you informed and share important developments.
Stay vigilant and safe Wishing you a smoke-free remainder of the summer, The Board | | | | | | www.stopb2h.org | 541-406-0727 | info@stopb2h.org Our mailing address is: 60366 Marvin Road, La Grande, Oregon 97850
Stop B2H Coalition is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, registered in the State of Oregon.
Donations are tax deductible.
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